ARRIVALS to France were down 10 per cent in January and February this year due to the attacks in Brussels and Paris as well as macroeconomic difficulties in source countries.
As a result, the destination has launched an initiative called Grand Tour, an 18-month plan to enliven tourism. Apart from offering a 10 to 20 per cent discount on some components of the Grand Tour from January to July 2016 and the whole of 2017, it will also highlight 50 meeting points in France that range from culture and architecture to gastronomy and festivals.
Also available at France’s 150 embassies around the world are “passports” that come in 80 languages, which will help tourists in their travels around the country, said Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the ambassador in charge of France’s cultural appeal.
He also added that they are working on a number of programmes, such as the opening of new cultural sites and museums in Paris and its surrounds.
d’Arvor said: “We have been hit strongly by terrorists and it has been very tough”, at the same time assuring tourists that “things are still running”.
Pierre Schapira, president of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, said they also want to get the message across that France is a safe destination.
“Security is ensured, safety measures are being taken, all necessary precautions are in place and things are looking normal and serene,” said Schapira.
Officials expect destination numbers to rebound this month or next.
Francois Navarro, CEO of Paris-Ile-de-France Regional Tourism Board, said that they have plans next year to market France in South-east Asia. He opined that it is a small market, but it has opportunities for growth from the emerging middle class.
France’s goal is to increase its arrivals to 100 million by 2020, up from 85 million last year.
